Concern for Climate Change: The Influence of Regional Location and Social Characteristics
Abstract
Although climate change is a force threatening the health and safety of our planet and its inhabitants, a large portion of the public remains unconcerned about this issue. The lack of concern for this issue is alarming considering both the speed of change and the nature of the threat. Emerging from observations made during an internship with Citizen's Climate Lobby, this paper explores reasons for this lack of concern, which may include religiosity, education level, industry, average weather patterns, media, and income level, among others. There is variance in these factors that span over time and place to influence differences in level of concern across different regions of the United States. To analyze these different influential factors it is necessary to examine previous research as well as review existing data that correlates a range of factors with levels of concern. Identifying the reasons climate change is continuously overlooked can aid in formulating a direct plan to raise concern for this issue that requires immediate attention.
Session Name:
Global and Local Challenges and Concerns
Start Date
10-4-2015 2:30 PM
End Date
10-4-2015 3:30 PM
Location
HSB 201
Concern for Climate Change: The Influence of Regional Location and Social Characteristics
HSB 201
Although climate change is a force threatening the health and safety of our planet and its inhabitants, a large portion of the public remains unconcerned about this issue. The lack of concern for this issue is alarming considering both the speed of change and the nature of the threat. Emerging from observations made during an internship with Citizen's Climate Lobby, this paper explores reasons for this lack of concern, which may include religiosity, education level, industry, average weather patterns, media, and income level, among others. There is variance in these factors that span over time and place to influence differences in level of concern across different regions of the United States. To analyze these different influential factors it is necessary to examine previous research as well as review existing data that correlates a range of factors with levels of concern. Identifying the reasons climate change is continuously overlooked can aid in formulating a direct plan to raise concern for this issue that requires immediate attention.